Distinct variety of Streptocarpus named Rosy-Finch

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of Streptocarpus×hybridus plant is characterized by abundant production of unique rhodamine purple flowers on vigorous plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of CapePrimrose (Streptocarpus×hybridus Voss.) known by the name of Rosy-Finch.This selection was developed for the commercial greenhouse industry as aflowering potted plant. Rosy-Finch exhibits compact, vigorous growth,improved heat tolerance, and abundant flower production underprogressive commercial practices. The flower color, shape and patternoffers a novel combination not previously available.

In 1978 an ideotype breeding program was initiated to improve thecharacteristics of Cape Primroses for commercial production. WeismoorHybrids, J. Innes Hybrids, "Constant Nymph" Series, Oglevees BavarianBells, and cultivars of unknown origin were intermated usingconventional breeding procedures. F₁ selections were selfed and the bestprogenies used as background parents for the ideotype. Breeding lineswere established in each of the major color classes in the F₃generation. Selection criteria included floriferousness, good foliagequality and symmetrical compact habit. The pedigree of Rosy-Finch is asfollows: ##STR1##

The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced by leaf cuttings in theUniversity of Wisconsin Department of Horticulture greenhouses inMadison, Wis., in 1982. It has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive propagations.

This new cultivar was evaluated by a jury of industry specialists andprofessional plant breeders for aesthetic qualities, and screened thoughproduction trials for desireable propagation, production and floweringcharacteristics.

The new cultivar, when grown in a greenhouse in Madison, Wis. has aresponse time of about 11 weeks. This response time is measured from thepotting of plantlets in a five inch pot to the time when the plant hassix flowers. Anthesis was about 91/2 weeks after potting.

A nonenabling printed publication describes Rosy-Finch (Hopka C and BeckGE (1984) Hortsci. 19:314-316).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the new cultivar, the colorsbeing as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.However, the most accurate representation of the colors is thedescription (below) referenced to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The botanical description of the new cultivar follows. The data wascollected from asexually propagated plants produced at the University ofWisconsin-Madison, Department of Horticulture. The plant histories weretaken on 14-week old plants produced in a double-layered polyethylenegreenhouse under natural light. Color readings were taken indoors undercool-white fluorescent light. Color references are those displayed inThe Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart.

Botanical classification: Gesneriaceae (Family); Streptocarpus×hybridus(Genus×species).

Flower:

Size and shape.--Fully expanded 71 mm, Corolla gamapetalous, 5-lobed,and distinctly bilabiate.

Borne.--Flowers are borne in a branched cymose dichasium in clusters ofone to eleven flowers.

Color.--Front of petals #29 Rhodamine Purple with a darker richer colorin the throat and fading towards the petals periphery. Throat -- (1/3)Sulphur Yellow throat lines with a White throat. Reverse of Petals --(29/2).

Reproductive structures.--Ovaries -- length 30-33 mm and 11/2 mm indiameter. Stamens -- arising at base of petals and adnate for approx. 7mm. The anterior 2 fertile, 2 lateral staminodes present. Stems --Branched, 16-18 cm long, and pubescent.

Foliage:

Size and shape.--Leaves oblanceolate to obovate with ruffled marginsanad crenate serrations. Approx. 9.5-12.5 cm wide at the broadest point,and 23-27 cm long.

Color.--Top side of leaves -- 0960 Spinach Green and underside color0960/3.

Plant:

Habit.--Whole mature plants (8 months old) -- 57 cm spread and 21 cmhigh.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Streptocarpus substantially as herein shown and described. 